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F.O.A.D.

On 9/19/14, 1:43 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:14:25 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote:

On 9/19/14, 11:52 AM, wrote:

I have not seen any fly by wire outboards yet. They have them but they
are certainly not all that common.
It is not even an option on small and midrange outboards.
The Yamaha "command link" is just instrumentation. I know there is
"Electronic Command"
You usually would only see the electronic controllers on trips or
quads and that is people for whom money is no object.

I just saw three outboard rigs with Mercs set up with electronic
controls. Perhaps they're not yet available on the edge of Camp Swampy,
where you live, but they are available up north. I'd guess Yamaha had
them, too.

Like someone posted above some of the larger motors have them but not
midrange. The electronic control only makes sense on triple and quad
installations and that is how Yamaha markets it.

From their site
"For multiple-engine applications, these controls feature automatic
engine RPM synchronization. Not only that, but in quad configurations,
the control box syncs port and port center engines together, and
starboard and starboard center engines together. Commanding hundreds
of horses doesn’t get much easier than this."

In a single or even twin installation it just looks like unnecessary
complexity for a fairly simple operation. I am not surprised that they
try to sell it on high end engines since I am sure it is a very
profitable option for them.
It looks like it is only standard on the V-8, it is an option on the
V-6 (on the Yamaha site)
The inline motors don't even seem to offer it. (200 and below)

The outboards and boats I was looking at this morning (I had an hour to
kill before a meeting near BWI) all were electronically controlled. I'll
have to stop at my friendly Deale dealer and see what is coming with the
new Gradys and Parkers and Yamahas. I don't pay much attention to
smaller outboards.